Bachelor of Midwifery

1. Overview

A midwife makes a vital and unique contribution to the wellbeing of women and families during one of life’s most important events.

This popular and dynamic pre-registration midwifery course leads to an academic award and a qualification as a Registered Midwife. The course consists of approximately 45% theory and 55% clinical practice.

The course is designed to stimulate your curiosity. Emphasis is also placed on motivating you to become a competent professional practitioner. You will develop a keen awareness of the need for continuing education and development throughout your professional career.

A key part of the course is the clinical experience acquired in a range of hospital and community settings. Aberdeen Maternity Hospital is a regional centre for obstetrics and neonatology; here you will gain midwifery experience caring for women and families who require specialist input from maternity care teams. You will also have the opportunity to participate in midwifery care in more remote and rural settings. You will be continuously supported and assessed by midwives during your practice placements. These experienced mentors will develop your skills in the delivery of midwifery care.

Facilities

You will benefit greatly from our purpose-built Clinical Skills Centre, where you will develop your skills and grow in confidence before going out on placement and putting these skills into practice. The Clinical Skills Centre has two ward areas, a High Dependency Unit, a Children's Room and a Home Setting. We also have various child and baby mannequins which we use to simulate real-life clinical practice.

2. What you will study

Year 1

You will be introduced to three dynamic academic themes; effective midwifery care, midwifery for health and the midwife within society. You will also learn introductory clinical midwifery skills in a simulated environment prior to experience in a range of practice placements.

Year 2

You will build upon your professional knowledge and experience from Stage 1 to develop your skills and confidence. The three dynamic academic themes of effective midwifery care, midwifery for health and the midwife within society will be explored in greater breadth and depth. This knowledge will be enhanced through your learning in clinical practice. You will grow in independence as an effective professional learner. You will gain further insight into the role of the midwife by working in partnership with women and families from our diverse society. This will be strengthened by your understanding of the importance of effective midwifery practice within maternity care teams.

Year 3

In your final year you will consolidate your knowledge, skills and attitudes to engage in midwifery care with confidence. You will be proficient in midwifery skills for low risk pregnant women and their families, and you will be an effective member of maternity care teams. You will meet the professional outcomes set by the Nursing & Midwifery Council and the academic outcomes established for the BMidwifery course. This will enable you to embark on a career as a midwife.

Provision is available for students with dependants to undertake the course over a period of 3 years and 15 weeks. Such students take five additional weeks of annual leave per year from clinical practice time to allow caring for dependants.

3. Entry requirements

SQA Higher: BBBC including English and a science subject. Higher Biology or Human Biology recommended. Maths atNational 5 or above is essential.

GCE A Level: BCC including English and a science subject. A Level Biology or Human Biology is recommended. Maths GCSE at C or above is essential.

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: B2B2B2C1 to include English and a science subject. Higher Biology or Human Biology is recommended. Maths at Ordinary Level at C1 or above is essential.

Selection Visit: Applicants will be invited to attend a selection event. This will take the form of a tour of the facilities, an opportunity to meet academics and practitioners and an interview.

Special Requirements: Acceptance to all nursing and midwifery courses is subject to a health screening and satisfactory PVG clearance (previously an enhanced disclosure). More details about the PVG scheme please visit Disclosure Scotland.

* All entry requirements listed here should be used as a
guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants
who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than
is stated.

English Language Qualification- All applicants whose first language is not English are
required to have an IELTS (International English
Language Testing System) score of 7.0 in all
elements or an appropriate equivalent.

4. Placements and accreditations

Placement

During the BMidwifery course you will have the opportunity to gain experience in a full range of maternity care settings, including those in urban and rural areas both in hospital and the community across the North East of Scotland, Highland, Western Isles, Tayside, Orkney and Shetland.

As part of the placement experience, you will need to fit in with the 24/7 nature of care which will include weekend and night duties.

Professional Accreditation

Successful completion of the course enables graduates to register on the Nursing & Midwifery Council Professional Register.

6. How to apply

All applicants for Nursing and Midwifery courses should be made via UCAS for entry to the course for autumn 2010 onwards.

All applicants to Robert Gordon University must apply online at www.ucas.com/apply. It is important that you keep track of your application process using the UCAS website, as it will update you on whether you have been offered a place from the University. It is also where you should respond to offers and receive confirmation of your place within your chosen course, rather than contacting the institution in the first instance.

7. Prospects

Our close links with employers and professional bodies ensure that you will graduate with the knowledge and skills required of a modern midwifery professional.

Robert Gordon University graduates are in demand and consistently achieve employment immediately following qualification in local, national or international settings.

“I have really enjoyed the course, especially getting out into the clinical area and seeing and learning from the other midwives and interacting with the women and their families. This experience has been everything that I had hoped for and more.”